Raheem Sterling warns Man City are now playing ANGRY over way Quadruple bid died

Raheem Sterling says anger is driving Manchester City on in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

Pep Guardiola told his City players to use the anger from their agonising Champions League exit to Tottenham to fire up their push to win back-to-back titles.

For a few seconds last Wednesday night, Sterling thought he'd scored the stoppage-time goal to take the Blues into a semi-final against Ajax and keep their bid for a historic Quadruple on the road. But his strike, which would also have given him a hat-trick on the night, was disallowed via VAR for offside in the build-up, so Spurs went through on away goals.

City beat Tottenham 1-0 when they returned to the Etihad for a league fixture less than 72 hours after their European anguish to keep the pressure on rivals Liverpool, and Sterling said: “Pep told us to be angry the day after. But on the match-day, make sure you’re ready and focused.

Man Utd's Old Trafford has lost the fear factor says Man City boss Pep Guardiola

Sterling, and millions around the world, thought he had kept City's Quadruple bid alive... (Man City via Getty)

“We work so hard all season, travelling miles and miles, to be in this position — and to lose in that way was hard to take.

“But there are four games to go — five including the Watford one [in the FA Cup Final]. If someone said that at the start of the season we’d bite their hand off and play these games [for a never-done-before domestic Treble]. It’s a great position to be in, something if we don’t do we’ll be very disappointed in ourselves.”

Pep Guardiola fires warning to Man Utd ahead of derby showdown

...but VAR ruled his goal out, so now the Blues are 'only' chasing a unique domestic Treble (PA Wire)

Sterling said City are expecting a backlash from neighbours United in Wednesday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford, in the wake of their shocking 4-0 defeat away to Everton at the weekend.

It was the Red Devils' third loss in five Premier League games, and sixth in eight fixtures overall, to leave them struggling to finish top four and secure Champions League football next season.

But Sterling said: “We know the players that they have within the team that can harm you at any moment. They’ve gone through a slight blip, but I guarantee tomorrow they’re up and running ready to go, chasing us down.”